A dream (Eleonora Krupa) 2013

Alfred Freddy Krupa made this portrait, “A Dream (Eleonora Krupa),” in 2013 using graphite. The pencil dances across the page with a light touch. It's not about heavy, definitive lines here; it's more like feeling around in the dark, trying to capture a fleeting moment. Look at the shading around the cheek and neck. See how it's built up from these tiny, almost scribbled lines? It gives the face a soft, pillowy quality, perfect for a dream. The hair has this wonderful looseness, like it’s floating just above the head. It reminds me of some of Agnes Martin’s drawings; that same kind of ethereal, barely-there quality. There’s something about the way the eyes are closed, so gently, that pulls you in. Like you’re peeking into a private space. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about what you see, but what you feel, what you imagine. And maybe, just maybe, what you dream.